the big enchilada

big enchilada

1. The most important or powerful person in a group, organization, business, or movement (e.g., the boss, leader, etc.). Primarily heard in US, South Africa. I think it sounds like a great idea, but you'll have to ask the big enchilada first.
2. An object or goal of great value, importance, or consequence. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. We only need to win two more games in the tournament to take home the big enchilada.
See also: big, enchilada
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the big enchilada

a person or thing of great importance. North American informal
See also: big, enchilada
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the big enchiˈlada

(American English, informal, humorous) the most important person or thing: New Hampshire is the big enchilada in American politics.
An enchilada is a Mexican dish with meat and a spicy sauce.
See also: big, enchilada
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • big enchilada
  • big kahuna
  • a big kahuna
  • grand poobah
  • a member for Barkshire
  • a plum in (one's) mouth
  • a plum in your mouth
  • double Dutch
  • be streets ahead
  • blues and twos
References in periodicals archive
But the big enchilada for the contest was Armon Fletcher, who proved why he was selected pre-season All-MVC last fall.
SIU men's basketball SIU heats up to top Sycamores
Yet there is no doubt that Spotify is the Big Enchilada, Numero Uno in music streaming and a 40 per cent discount to a $20 billion post flotation value will only emerge when the Valley grizzlies finally emerge from hibernation, as they surely will.
The thrills and risks of the Spotify IPO in New York
"I think the big enchilada here is the conspiracy to break into the Democratic National Committee in violation of the federal computer crime law and to use those emails to help Donald Trump get elected," the Hill reported Ackerman, as saying on MSNBC.
'Conspiracy not collusion main issue in Trump-Mueller investigation'
The same uneasiness makes neurosurgeons joke, 'There go the piano lessons, when they cut into gray matter.' The brain, after all, is the Seat of the Soul, the Big Enchilada of Consciousness, the organ of Me-ness.
On Learning That My Brain is Shrinking
This was the big enchilada of natural foods deals for Colorado in 2016.
Top 10 Colorado business stories of 2016
"I'm going for the big enchilada this time," said Grant, a Navy veteran.
Bringin' in the Bass
This is the Mother of all Trees, the Big Enchilada, the King of Kings, the Great One, the Numero Uno.
A day in the life of General Sherman: our intrepid reporter gets up close and personal with this long-time champ and perennial favorite big tree
The NFC championship game is good, but this is the creme de la creme, this is the big enchilada and this is the reason we play this game."
BRAVEHEART; I'm aiming to kick for Super Bowl glory, says Giants' Scottish star
Veteran Michael Gambon plays a mean gangster Eddie Temple, the big enchilada, whose missing daughter becomes one of Craig's many problems.
Cinerama : Layer Cake
Designed by prominent Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, its brightly colored exterior raised eyebrows when the plans were first unveiled and earned it the nickname "The Big Enchilada." Zapatos notes that the new library greatly expanded the space available for materials and services.
Designing the (almost) perfect library
The BDO World Darts at Lakeside is the big enchilada.
John McKie: Darts the way to do it if you like big thrills; To be Frank, BB scored an own goal
Then there's the big enchilada: Why do we exempt investment income from Social Security and Medicare taxes?
Do fat cats pay less?
Three depart ures in February were followed in March by the big enchilada himself, Robert Knight, a truly dedicated homophobe who left, mysteriously enough, to take a job with Concerned Women for America.
BTW
What Nader can do is tip the balance in "battleground" states, like Ohio and Wisconsin and the big enchilada of California, to George W.
Letters to the Editor